Family events

Mon., April 12, 2010

Today

After School Specials (North) - “Weather Watch.” Learn about weather. A different science project will be offered every month. 4 p.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 893-8350.

Tuesday

Loving Your Family - Feeding Their Future - Presented by the University of Idaho Extension. For recipients of food stamps, free school lunch or other heath and welfare programs. Topics will include: how to make easy, tasty and health meals; food and physical activity; and active family fun time. Call to register. 1 p.m., Kootenai County Extension Office, 1808 N. Third St., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 446-1680.

After School Specials (Valley) - “Weather Watch.” Learn about weather 4 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Wednesday

After School Specials (Medical Lake) - “Weather Watch.” Learn about weather. 4 p.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St., Medical Lake. Free. (509) 893-8330.

Bird Beaks! - For ages 5-9. Hands-on class to learn about the birds coming back to Spokane for spring, birds of prey and more. Registration is required. 4-5 p.m., Mobius Kids, 808 W. Main Ave., Lower Level. $7/Mobius members, $10/nonmembers. (509) 624-5437, Ext. 1.

Thursday

Toddler Storytime - For ages 18 months-3 years. 10 a.m. Library locations include: South, 3324 S. Perry St. (509) 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. (509) 444-5390; North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. (509) 893-8350. Free.

Preschool Storytime - For ages 3-5. Library locations and times include: 10:30 a.m., South, 3324 S. Perry St. (509) 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. (509) 444-5390; 11 a.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. (509) 893-8350. Free.

Friday

Native American Junior High and High School Academic Challenge/Leadership Camp - For Native American youths in grades 7-12. The weekend retreat will discuss Indian culture and spirituality, prevention, cooperation, making responsible decisions and more. Teams of eight can submit their application at the Native Project, 1803 W. Maxwell Ave. $10. (509) 325-5502.

Saturday

Get Lit! Events at Aunties - 10 a.m., “So You Want To Be a Writer?”, author Randall Platt has tips for writers ages 10 and older; 11:30 a.m., “Coming of Age Reading,” featuring playwright and novelist Victor Lodato and author Randall Platt; 1 p.m., “Giant Bugs, Bad Drugs, and the End of the World,” featuring author Ron Dakron; 1:30 p.m., “Other Side of Humanity,” featuring author Jerome Gold; 2 p.m., “Crossing Cultural Boundaries,” with authors Lynda Mapes and Peter Chilson; 3 p.m., “Philosophy in Pop Culture,” featuring Eastern Washington University professors Kevin Decker, Terrance MacMullan, Christopher Kirby, Mimi Marinucci and Lars Brown. Auntie’s Bookstore auditorium, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

“Next Generation green-Thumbs!” - Seed-planting workshop and story-time activity especially for children. 2-3 p.m., Pilgrim’s Deli, 1316 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 676-9730.

Japan Week Celebration - Traditional Japanese Drumming (taiko) by Suzaku Taiko, Mukogawa students sing Japanese and English songs and present Bon-odori dancing with traditional dress; Sumi-e demo by international artist Keiko Von Holt; and Japanese dolls with Patti Reiko Osebold (both in Kress Gallery, third floor); Japanese name writing by Gonzaga University students, all events taking place noon-1 p.m.; and a demonstration of Aikido, a martial art adapted from samurai combat arts, by Aikido Bushin, Spokane Kendo and Iaido Club, Judo, Karatedo Doshinkan, 1-2:30 p.m., River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 313-6560 or 465-5207.

Kiwanis Paint-a-Helmet Give Away - Children will be fitted with a helmet and provided with non-toxic markers to decorate it with. Children attending must be accompanied by an adult. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Spokane County Fairgrounds, Building C, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 924-4033.

Get Lit! Festival “College, Here I Come!” - For high school students. Learn how to clearly express who you are and what you are passionate about while applying for colleges and scholarships. Registration is required. 9:30-11:30 a.m., Hotel Lusso, One N. Post St. $30/general, $20/students. (509) 625-6200.

Doll Show and Sale - Hosted by the Lilac City Doll Club. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Washington Army National Guard Readiness Center, 1626 N. Rebecca. $5/general admission; free/ages 12 and younger. (509) 327-5294.

Our Kids Our Business: Pinwheels in the Park - Hosted by Eastern Washington Association for the Education of Young Children. Enjoy family activities and creative projects. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Franklin Park, picnic shelter, 302 W. Queen Ave. and Division St. Free. (509) 624-2378.

Japanese Kamishibai and Origami (Japan Week) - Celebration of Japan Week with some traditional stories and origami by Kara and Lewis and Clark High School Japanese Club. For all ages. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Kite Workshop and Festival - All ages. Construct a kite during this family workshop taught by kite enthusiast Gary Fleshman-Kubodera. Fly your kite in McEuen field. Music performance by the Taiko Drummers of Spokane. 10:30 a.m., Coeur d’Alene Library, Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 769-2315, Ext. 438.

Multicultural Children’s Reading with Janet Wong - Part of Get Lit! Festival. The award-winning children’s author will share her most recent work “Me and Rolly Maloo,” about cheating to be popular. Also, readings by Lore Segal, author of “The Story of Mrs. Loveless” and Purrless Her Cat,” and “Tell Me A Mitzi.” 10:45-11:45 a.m., Kress Gallery, third level of River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave. For a list of events, see www.ewu.edu/getlit. (509) 368-6594.

Awesome Aquifer! - All ages. Event will feature demonstrations by the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center. Miniland lessons will be at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Mobius Kids, River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. Free with museum admission. (509) 624-KIDS.

Barnes & Noble Storytime - Story will be “My Garden” by Kevin Henkes. Also make a craft and enjoy a treat. 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 922-4104.

Fancy Nancy Posh Party - Dress up in your fanciest clothes and listen to Jane O’Conner’s latest Fancy Nancy book, “Fancy Nancy Poet Extraordinaire.” 11 a.m., Borders, 9980 N. Newport Highway. (509) 466-2231.

Bear the Burden Auction, Fundraiser and Dinner - Eight annual event to benefit Camp STIX Diabetes Programs for children ages 8-19. 5 p.m., Spokane Country Club, 2010 W. Waikiki Road. (509) 484-1366.

Sunday

“Cinderella” - Presented by Spokane Ballet Ensemble. Shows at 2 and 4 p.m. Appropriate for all ages. Spokane Community College Lair auditorium, 1810 N. Greene St. Free admission; bring canned goods to contribute to the SCC food bank. (509) 448-2464.

Our Kids Our Business: Mock DUI Crash - Sponsored by North Central SADD/WDFY Club. A simulated car crash to raise awareness of the impact of impaired driving by teens. 9-11:15 a.m., North Central High School, 1600 N. Howard St. (509) 354-6300.

Children’s Festival (Japan Week) - Japanese children’s games, crafts and dress-up. 2-3:30 p.m., Manito Park main pavilion. Free. 768-6289.

Send information about events at least two weeks in advance by email to features @spokesman.com; by fax to 509-459-5098; by mail to Our Kids Calendar, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; or submit online at www.spokane7.com/ events/submit. Send information about events at least two weeks in advance by email to features @spokesman.com; by fax to 509-459-5098; by mail to Our Kids Calendar, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; or submit online at www.spokane7.com/ events/submit.